Decorative mice were originally bred for scientific experiments. Over time, these laboratory rodents have spread like pets. And the breeders tried, introducing numerous mouse colors and types of wool.
Sateen mice also belong to selective breeding. These cute rodents are famous for their hair. But about all this - more specifically.
Origin
The satin mouse is originally from Asia. But she got her first description in the USA. What does the description mean? The mouse participated in the exhibition, which was held in 1950. This is the first mouse show in America. Just do not be surprised, but the mouse and rat exhibitions have gained popularity since the 50s of the last century. To this day they are not uncommon. For a pet to get to the exhibition, he must have a pedigree.
Appearance
Satin mice are very beautiful. They have a delicate touch, very thin coat. Hair to hair, shimmers with gloss. In general, it seems that the groomers worked on the mouse’s hair, it looks so neat.
In all other respects, a mouse with satin wool is no different from its counterparts. It is small (weight barely reaches 30 grams), with a curious elongated muzzle, large eyes and large, widely spaced ears.
Content Requirements
The maintenance of satin mice is not very expensive. The only thing that you have to go broke is a cell. The mice are small, but daring. They are active, they like to run and jump very much, willingly climb tunnels. And as they run around in a wheel, this must be seen. Due to their size, they sometimes climb into a wheel together. One mouse runs in one direction, the other in the other. The wheel sways from side to side, and satin mice begin to sort things out without leaving it.
We return to the urgent topic.
The cage is two- or three-story. Mandatory presence of tunnels, ladders and wheels. The minimum cell size is 40 x 50 x 35 centimeters.
House. Now there are a great many houses for rodents. You can buy the cheapest one, the main thing is that the entrance to it is convenient for the pet.
Filler. Someone advises taking wood or using sawdust. We recommend corn. The fact is that woody is very large. And the little mouse is very uncomfortable walking on it. In addition, when wet, it crumbles. So, urine begins to evaporate. The impurities contained in it harm the health of the mouse. Sawdust begins to smell already on the second day after they have been changed. If it is not possible to buy corn filler, cover the bottom of the cage with plain white paper.
The easiest feeder. Take the smallest plastic one.
Buy a drinking bowl for hanging. You can take it with a metal mount, or you can give preference to wire. The latter is not particularly convenient, because the wire has the property of breaking.
Here is a basic list of the needs of a satin decorative mouse. Now let's talk about how to care for her.
Care Rules
It all starts with hygiene. Just do not think that you have to bathe a mouse. They can’t tolerate water and hardly want to swim.
It's about washing the cage. This is a mandatory and time-consuming procedure. It is necessary to wash not only the bottom of the cell, but also its contents. Spin the tunnel to flush out its parts. We will keep silent about the feeding trough, drinking bowl and house. And so it is clear, no comment.
The cell is washed once a week, provided that a corn filler is used. If the owner prefers paper, then change it daily and rinse the bottom. General cleaning is done weekly.
What do satin mice require? Proper cell cleaning, above all:
- We clear the bottom of the filler.
- From the tunnel and the house we delete the stocks of the mouse.
- Pour water from the drinking bowl, remove the food from the feeder.
- Soak all small parts in hot soapy water.
- Wash the bottom of the cell with a disinfectant.
- Be sure to rinse with boiling water several times.
- Let the bottom drain.
- While it flows down, we rinse the feeder, drinking bowl, house and details of the tunnel in running water.
- Dry everything thoroughly and wipe it.
- We collect the cell in its original form.
- After the done manipulations we put the pet in place.
By the way, what to do with satin mice during harvesting? The easiest option is a jar with a lid. In the latter, holes are made so that the mice do not suffocate.
Feeding
If we figured out leaving, then they did not say anything about feeding. Let's fix this mistake.
Satin mice love to eat. It is impossible to overfeed them, because animals are prone to obesity. And where fat is, there are health problems.
Feed your pets twice a day. Morning meal consists of a special feed. It can be bought at any pet store, there are a lot of brands. Starting from cheap domestic, ending with elite foreign feed. On the packages it is marked for whom the feed.
In addition to the dry product, the satin mouse (pictured) needs additional nutrition. It includes:
- Fruits, with the exception of grapes, kiwi, citrus and bananas.
- Vegetables other than potatoes.
- Oatmeal, millet, buckwheat. All this is given raw.
- Boiled lean meat. This includes chicken and its offal (except skin and fat), beef, veal, turkey.
- Low-fat cottage cheese.
- Boiled fish without bones and skin.
- Wheat and rye crackers. One piece a week is enough. Without seasoning, of course.
- Tree branches.
- Chalk for grinding teeth.
Never give your mouse sweets, smoked meats, pickled vegetables, fried foods. Banned sausages and sausages, as well as cheese. Contrary to popular belief that mice love him very much, this product is dangerous to their health.
It is impossible for rodents and fresh cabbage. Its juice affects the work of the gastrointestinal tract of infants.
Life span
How many satin mice live? With good care, they can live for about three years. Life expectancy is 2 years.
Health
Mice with satin wool are quite painful creatures. Since they are the result of breeding breeding, they are prone to all kinds of viruses. The immune system in satin crumbs is weakened. It is possible, among other things, the appearance of cancer.
Owner reviews
Glossy mouse is a great pet. It can be easily bought, unlike a satin curly mouse. It’s so easy not to get it, and it costs an order of magnitude more expensive than usual. The difference is in the hair - in the curly one it sticks out in all directions.
Distracted again. We return to what the owners of these crumbs say. For the most part, the people are delighted. Loving owners speak of their pets as very smart and affectionate animals. Some breeders claim that a satin mouse is much better than a dog. It’s nice to watch them, the mice are real little “zingerbirds”. Most owners note that their pets are very clean: they eat in one corner of the cage, sleep in the other, and go to the toilet in the third. Mice are nice to hold in their hands, they do not try to break out and run away. They know how to kiss. Very gentle animals.
After reading the reviews, I want to run to the pet store for a satin pet.
Can I keep a couple?
Yes you can. Satin mice are social animals. They remain affectionate and easily tamed, even when they live together.
It is better to take two females, they are less aggressive than males, and calmly relate to cohabitation. Males get along with each other only when they have been living together since childhood.
Breeding
Baby mice are able to bring up to 12 litters per year. Pregnancy lasts 20 days, after birth, the young mother is ready for fertilization again.
When the mice reach 30 days, it is advisable to seed them by sex. The fact is that at the age of five weeks these eared comrades can become parents. Considering that 7-12 babies are born in the litter, it will fit right to open a mouse farm.
Conclusion
These are beautiful and smart satin mice. Those who really want to have a pet, but have little space in the apartment, should pay attention to the mouse. The cage will fit in any, even the smallest apartment. And this pet is just wonderful. With due diligence on the part of the owner, the mouse will quickly master various tricks, begin to respond to the name and climb fearlessly onto the shoulder.
The only clarification: these animals are fearful. With a sudden loud sound near the cell, the mouse is able to die from a broken heart.